Effects of gamma irradiation on mycotoxin disappearance and amino acid contents of corn,wheat, and soybeans with different moisture contents

The effects of gamma irradiation on degradation of aflatoxin B₁ in wheat, corn, and soybeans and of T-2 toxin in wheat, deoxynivalenol (DON) in soybeans, and zearalenone in corn at 9, 13, and 17% moisture were studied. Radiation doses of 5, 7.5, 10 or 20 kGy were applied to spiked grain samples, and the residual toxins were measured using an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Irradiation doses of up to 20 kGy did not significantly affect aflatoxin B₁ in any of the three grains, but significant reductions occurred in T-2 toxin, DON, and zearalenone concentration at doses of 10 or 20 kGy and in T-2 toxin at the 7.5 kGy dose. Two-way analysis of variance with Tukey's Multiple Range Test showed no significant interaction between radiation dose and grain moisture level. Irradiation of the ground grains at doses higher than 5 kGy resulted in small, but significant, losses of lysine in corn (only at 7.5 kGy), wheat, and soybeans, and methionine was reduced in wheat and corn samples. In some cases, phenylalanine decreased in corn and wheat, and histidine levels in wheat were reduced in samples receiving 7.5 kGy of irradiation. Other essential amino acids were not affected significantly by irradiation.Contribution No. 94-114-J of the Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station.     

Survey of the microbiological count of the milk collected from livestock ancient city of Garmsar,Semnan Province,Iran

Milk has a high nutritional value and can affect human health. Therefore, it is important to know the factors affecting its quality. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the raw milk microbial quality and factors affecting it. A total of 4260 raw cow milk samples, which were collected from villages around Garmsar city, Iran, and their microbial load were registered at Garmsar Dairy Cow Association between 2013 and 2014, was used in the present study. The total average ± SD of microbial load concentration was 3.02?×?10⁵?±?2.75?×?10⁵ (CFU/ml). The average concentration of total bacteria in 2013 was 2.73?×?10⁵?±?1.58?×?10⁵ (CFU/ml) and in 2014 it was 3.32?×?10⁵?±?3.93?×?10⁵(CFU/ml). Seasonally, it was 2.94?×?10⁵?±?1.72?×?10⁵ (CFU/ml), 3.69?×?10⁵?±?4.55?×?10⁵ (CFU/ml), 2.91?×?10⁵?±?1.62?×?10⁵ (CFU/ml), and 2.63?×?10⁵?±?1.67?×?10⁵ (CFU/ml) for spring, summer, autumn, and winter, respectively. There was a significant difference in seasonal average microbial concentration of milk samples (p?<?0.05). The present study concludes that microbial load of milk can be affected by environmental and hygienic conditions. Ranchers need to pay more attention to hygiene especially in warm seasons. Because in case of high microbial load in raw milk, even after milk pasteurization, it is not possible to have a high-quality and desirable product. Milk producers and distributors need also awareness in order to reduce the incidence of secondary contamination. But, the main correction is to establish direct supervision of the Ministry of Health onto the health of dairy cow farmers by structural integrity of Veterinary Medical Organization as the global one health.